Hikeawassee
Hiawassee: Georgia's thru-hiker trail town
Hiawassee is one of the top thru-hiker destinations for resupply in North Georgia. Hikers love our town for its easy walkability along Main Street, close proximity to the Appalachian Trail, and our very hiker-friendly community.
During peak northbound (NOBO) thru-hiking season in the spring, the City of Hiawassee operates a free daily shuttle from each gap into town.
FREE Hiawassee Shuttle, Daily, February 23 - May 3
Ingles Supermarket is the Hiawassee shuttle pickup and drop-off location. See location on Google Maps.
FREE Cookout, Mondays, 1-3pm
Join us for a free cookout outside of Trailful, in front of the Paris Business Center. February 23 - April 27.
Connect with the Local Businesses that Sponsor the Shuttle!
Trailful Outdoor Co.
Outfitter, Phone Charging, Pack Storage, WIFI
M-Sat 10am-6pm | Sun 12-5pm
75 N Main St | 706-521-4453
Mama's Market
Healthy Ready Made Meals, Soups, Desserts, Beer, Wine
M-Sat 10am-7pm | Sun 10am-6pm
249 Big Sky Dr | 706-707-8058
Stanimal's Around the Bend
Hostel, Shuttle, Resupply/Outfitter, Dog Friendly
Located near Dicks Creek Gap
7675 US-76 | 706-389-9668
Bronco's 10% off for Hikers
Burgers, Burritos, Tacos, BBQ, Beer, Wine
M 11am-2pm | Tues-Sat 11am-8pm | Closed Sun
195 N Main St | 706-970-3008
VC Coffee 20% off for Hikers
Espresso, Coffee, Teas, Energy Drinks, Light Bites
Tues 7am-1pm | W-Sat 7am-4pm | Closed Sun & M
375 N Main St B | 828-576-2980
The Green Dragon Hostel
Hostel, Shuttle
Located between Unicoi Gap & Dicks Creek Gap
2708 GA-17 | 706-200-0274
Hiawassee Hiker Services
Accommodations Holiday Inn Express and Suites (~$160/night) Retreat on the Lake (~$220/night) Hostels The Green Dragon ($60/night) Stanimal's Around the Bend ($45/night) Gear/Outfitters/Supplies Trailful Outdoor Co. Hiawassee Hardware Transportation FREE Shuttle Feb 23 - May 3 Hitch-a-Hiker - Grace (813-294-6994) Mountain Trails Shuttles - Dale (828-231-7728) Hiking Not Homeless - Jason (678-979-0257) WiFi Access Trailful Outdoor Do. (pet friendly) VC Coffee Town Square Library Ingles Supermarket Hiawassee Brew (pet friendly) Phone Charging Trailful Outdoor Co. Ingles Supermarket Library Town Square Laundry Wash Tub Coin Laundry Lake Access/Swimming Lloyd's Landing Park Postal Services Goin' Postal USPS Post Office Medical Walgreens Hiawassee Hometown Pharmacy North Georgia Family Medicine Chatuge Regional Hospital Serendipity Clinic Emory Heart & Vascular Clinic Dog Grooming Mountain Mutts Grooming ATM Machines SouthState Bank United Community Bank Beer/Wine/Liquor Mama's Market Ingles Supermarket Big Bear Wine & Spirits Bacchus on the Lake Hiawassee Package Religious Centers McConnell Memorial Baptist Church Christ the King Anglican Church Ministries of Grace Eastgate Church Remnant Church
Outfitter Services and Products
Services available at Trailful Outdoor Co. - Mail drops - Pack and gear storage - No-upcharge shipping services - Free phone and device charging - Free WiFi Resupply, gear, apparel, and footwear: - Technical hiking apparel - Ultralight packs, tents, and sleep gear - Boots and trail running shoes - Trekking poles and accessories - Socks and insoles - Gear, cookware, stoves, and accessories - Dog gear, dog packs, and leashes
Hiawassee loves thru-hikers!
Hiawassee is one of Georgia's original official thru-hiker towns, well-loved for its easy access to the Appalachian Trail at Dicks Creek Gap and Unicoi Gap. A large grocery store is directly across the street from our outfitter shop, and multiple hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, post office, laundromat, our local brewery, and many other locally-owned, hiker-friendly businesses along Main Street are a short walk away. Our town's priority is to make a resupply run or a zero-day enjoyable, easy, and fun. Hiawassee is a small town with many conveniences and the friendliest folks we've found in any mountain town in the Southeast. Georgia's tallest mountain, Brasstown Bald, towers over town across our beautifully clear mountain lake, Lake Chatuge. Hiawassee is one of Georgia's premiere outdoor destinations for backpacking, hiking, boating, paddlesports, and sun-drenched fresh-air weekend getaways in the mountains.
Thank You to the Hikeawassee Sponsors
Thanks to the generous support of these business and organizations, we were able to purchase a modern, reliable passenger van for use in 2026 and beyond!
Our Mission
The Hikeawassee Shuttle Program connects Appalachian Trail hikers with Hiawassee’s hotels, restaurants, shops, and services — free of charge. The shuttle runs during the 10-week AT Northbound (NOBO) thru-hiker "bubble," starting around the end of February and ending around the beginning on May. We host a hiker feed cookout every Monday at lunch in the center of Hiawassee.
Four years old and 100% volunteer-run, this service strengthens our local economy while providing hikers a warm welcome and access to the resources they need.
In 2024 alone, hikers spent over $150,000 in Hiawassee because of this service — supporting hotel/motel tax revenue, local option sales tax, and small businesses during the slow winter season.
Global Reach from a Small Town
Around 2,000 Appalachian Trail hikers use the Hikeawassee shuttle each year. These hikers come from all 50 states and dozens of countries. They are connected with the wider hiking community through word of mouth, and hiking enthusiasts from around the world follow their thru hike journeys on social media.
Our Goal & Vision
We plan for Hikeawassee to grow from a NOBO thru hiker shuttle to a community resource that brings year-round ecotourism to Hiawassee. Our vision for the future includes adding services for:
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Local hiking groups
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Section hikers
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Community groups
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Ecotourism events